Tub surround assembly clip

Abstract

A multi-panel tub/shower surround which facilitates insertion well into the construction process. The panels incorporate assembly clips along a common vertical edge which maintain the panels in sealing engagement. The assembly clip induces a watertight connection between the panels to maintain the common edge in flush engagement. As a result, a tub surround can be positioned later in the construction process while ensuring a watertight connection between the components of the surround.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A wall surround for a bathing unit comprising: 
       a plurality of wall panels arranged in contiguous relation to form said wall surround, said wall panels having a vertical edge whereby said vertical edge of a first wall panel is disposed adjacent said vertical edge of a second wall panel forming a vertical seam, said wall panels including at least one mounting block formed in a rear face of said first wall panel along said vertical edge and at least one bearing block formed in said rear face of said second wall panel along said vertical edge; and  
       at least one assembly clip secured to a mounting block of said first wall panel and extending across said vertical seam to engage a bearing block of said second wall panel to selectively join said contiguous wall panels.  
     
     
       2. The wall surround as defined in  claim 1  wherein said at least one assembly clip includes a spring arm secured to said bearing block on said rear face of said first wall panel, said spring arm selectively engaging said second wall panel to prevent separation of said wall panels. 
     
     
       3. The wall surround as defined in  claim 2  wherein said wall panels include a plurality of assembly clips spaced along said vertical edges of said wall panels. 
     
     
       4. The wall surround as defined in  claim 3  wherein said wall panels include a plurality of blocks molded into said rear face of said wall panels along said vertical edge. 
     
     
       5. The wall surround as defined in  claim 4  wherein said vertical edge of said first wall panel includes an overlap lip, said overlap lip receiving said vertical edge of said second wall panel, said spring arm engaging said bearing block to bias said overlap lip against said vertical edge of said secured wall panel. 
     
     
       6. The wall surround as defined in  claim 5  wherein said wall panels consist of a corner panel having an inner vertical edge, a pair of said corner panels joined in contiguous relation to form said surround having a single vertical seam therebetween. 
     
     
       7. A wall surround for a bathing unit comprising: 
       a plurality of wall panels arranged in contiguous relation to form said wall surround, said wall panels having a vertical edge wherein said vertical edge of a first wall panel includes a plurality of mounting blocks and is disposed adjacent said vertical edge of a second wall panel forming a vertical seam in said wall surround; and  
       a plurality of assembly clips mounted to said mounting blocks spaced along said vertical seam and extending across said vertical seam to selectively join said contiguous wall panels.  
     
     
       8. The wall surround as defined in  claim 7  wherein said assembly clips are mounted to a rear face of said wall panels and include a spring arm secured to said rear face of a first wall panel, said spring arm selectively engaging said rear face of a second wall panel to prevent separation of said wall panels. 
     
     
       9. The wall surround as defined in  claim 8  wherein said vertical edge of said first wall panel includes an overlap lip, said overlap lip receiving said vertical edge of said second wall panel, said spring arm engaging said bearing block to bias said overlap lip against said vertical edge of said secured wall panel. 
     
     
       10. The wall surround as defined in  claim 9  wherein said rear face of said second wall panel includes a plurality of bearing blocks spaced along said vertical edge. 
     
     
       11. The wall surround as defined in  claim 9  wherein said vertical edges of said first and second wall panels form an offset seam therebetween, said seam concealed by said overlap lip to prevent fluid flow into said seam. 
     
     
       12. The wall surround as defined in  claim 11  wherein said vertical seam includes a seal channel extending the length of said seam, said seal channel receiving a sealing material to prevent fluid flow through said seam. 
     
     
       13. The wall surround as defined in  claim 12  wherein said wall panels consist of a pair of corner panels having an inner vertical edge joined in contiguous relation to form said surround having a single vertical seam. 
     
     
       14. A wall surround for a bathing unit comprising: 
       a first corner panel having an interior vertical edge, said first and second corner panels arranged in contiguous relation to form said wall surround such that said vertical edge of said first corner panel is adjacent said vertical edge of said second corner panel forming an intermediate vertical seam in said wall surround; and  
       a plurality of mounting blocks formed in a rear face along said vertical edge of said first corner panel, each of said mounting blocks having an assembly clip mounted thereto and extending across said vertical seam to selectively engage said second corner panel and join said contiguous corner panels, said assembly clips including a spring arm adjustably mounted to said first corner panel and biasingly engaging said second corner panel.  
     
     
       15. The wall surround as defined in  claim 14  wherein said rear face of said second wall panel includes a plurality of bearing blocks spaced along said vertical edge, said spring arms biasingly engaging said bearing blocks. 
     
     
       16. The wall surround as defined in  claim 14  wherein said vertical edges of said first and second wall panels form an offset seam therebetween, said seam concealed by said overlap lip to prevent fluid flow into said seam. 
     
     
       17. The wall surround as defined in  claim 16  wherein said vertical seam includes a seal channel extending the length of said seam, said seal channel receiving a sealing material to prevent fluid flow through said seam. 
     
     
       18. The wall surround as defined in  claim 15  wherein said vertical edge of said first wall panel includes an overlap lip, said overlap lip receiving said vertical edge of said second w all panel, said spring arm engaging said bearing block to bias said overlap lip against said vertical edge of said second wall panel.